A California kingsnake found next to a cash machine in Hull is one of more than 180 exotic animals rescued from the area.

The snake, which is more commonly found in the US and Mexico, was discovered around Newland Avenue by a supermarket security guard - making it one of the more bizarre findings in Hull over the past 12 months.

An RSPCA inspector tended to the creature which was dumped on the pavement - one of 41 exotic pets rescued by the charity in 2018.

RSPCA inspector Jilly Dickinson said: “When I arrived there, I was relieved to see the snake was unharmed and safely confined in a bucket.

“Our exotics officer confirmed that it was a California kingsnake, a non-venomous species originally from the west coast of America.

"We believe the little chap was very young - no more than 20cm long and about the width of my little finger.

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“We think he or she may have been someone’s escaped pet but sadly no owner was ever traced.”

Nationally, the snake was one of 500 that had to be saved. More than 300 turtles, 145 bearded dragons and five raccoon dogs also had to be rescued, while in East Yorkshire 200 turtles and and tortoises were also rescued by officers.

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